Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pledged to push for wage increases among midsize enterprises and rural businesses, a move that could help boost the country’s economy and improve the livelihoods of its citizens. Speaking at the annual May Day rally organized by Rengo, Japan’s largest labor organization, Kishida urged the country to continue the momentum of wage hikes that have been set in motion by the “shunto” spring labor offensive this year.   Kishida’s presence at the May Day rally marks the first time in almost a decade that a Japanese prime minister has attended the event. The last time a prime minister was present at the rally was in 2014 when Shinzo Abe was in power. By attending the event, Kishida is signaling his commitment to improving the lives of Japan’s workers and strengthening ties with Rengo, a key support base of opposition parties.   Rengo, the umbrella organization of labor unions, has been at the forefront of efforts to increase wages in Ja...

If you're a senior citizen in Japan, you might be surprised to find out that many of your peers in their sixties are still in the workforce. A survey conducted by Kakehashi Skysolutions found that 66% of the respondents, all past the retirement age of 60, were still employed. Among those who were still working, the most common employment status was that of a contract employee, regardless of their age. However, 78% of those still working belonged to the 60-64 age group, and 51% of this subgroup were working for their original company under a continued-employment arrangement.   It's important to note that continued employment does not necessarily mean rehiring as a regular employee. Many companies in Japan offer continued-employment arrangements that provide benefits and job security but may not offer the same benefits as regular employment.   The survey also revealed that income from their current job was the primary source of income for 65% of those under 65 who do n...